Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister of State for bringing forward this legislation. I said during Committee Stage that Civil Defence had operated for 52 years without a board. While the board, when it was set up, did very good work, I believe the board is only the oversight body for the actual members on the ground. Civil Defence is as strong as ever. In my own town of Carrick-on-Suir, I see the young people getting involved in Civil Defence, and new people join every year. That is a great sign of the voluntary ethic in this country.

Senator O'Donovan mentioned the work of Civil Defence in regard to flooding in his area. The River Suir rises at the Devil's Bit and flows through Cashel, Cahir, Clonmel and into my own town of Carrick-on-Suir before reaching Waterford Harbour. We have had serious flooding problems along that river valley over many years and the first port of call for everybody affected was Civil Defence. It has done Trojan work and will continue to do so.

This is sensible legislation. I thank the Minister of State for bringing it forward and look forward to it being enacted.